On my last two trips to India, I have noticed a new optimism, almost a cockiness. The Internet has allowed India and its large fluent english speaking population access to a lot of different business opportunities. Software programming, call centres, medical transcription.
India's success is sometime percieved as a threat to Western economies. Outsourcing, or more to the point the percieved threat posed by outsourcing, now even merits mention by candidates in the US Presidential election.
I think this is not a threat to the west but actually a huge opportunity. A business opportunity, yes, but also an opportunity to truly chew over some of the interesting new opportunities and learn how to live in this world that is changing faster every day.
I certainly feel bad for the Canadian, US, and European tech workers who no longer have a job. We are way past the point, when any job could be considered secure for a lifetime. Those who realize this and jump in to the new world with both feet high and eyes open are those who will, ultimately, be successful.
PS..just to follow up on my last post....its now 5:48 at Denny's in Vancouver.